API Test Kits

:-[

Nope, no strips. It was a liquid test kit, just not sure of the brand. Could have been API also, as he was using API test tubes.

One of these days I will learn to quote multiple replies in these forums instead of answering each one individually. Sorry

 

Yes, well, I don't know about culligan. I don't know their process for filtering. Maybe the plastic is leaching something. Try this, take a sample of the water and run tests on the plain water to see if you register any NitrITE or NitrATE. You may want to check for Ammonia just for kicks and giggles.

 

I had the same problem. TWO different fish stores were telling me my water was fine and I was getting Nitrates of 80!

So I brought my test kit into one of the stores to test together to see what I was doing wrong....then I noticed he didn't shake it. : So we did it his way and of course my water was just fine. Then we did it my way (following the directions) and my nitrates were back at 80.

That was TWO LFS doing it wrong here! Now I just trust myself.


Anyway, make sure your LFS is doing it right. It might now be you.

 

I have tested the water when doing a water change prior to adding it to the tank. Everything comes up zero, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate.

I had one guy at a LFS tell me, it has been his experience there can be a large disparity between test kits of the same brand. So maybe this whole thing is not as novel as I think.

 

Well, you are on the ball! I guess we have to blame it on Culligan. If you can switch to LFS or other source for your water and after a couple of months (time it will take to change out most of the water through water changes) you will see if that makes a difference.

 

the biggest mistake is not shaking long enough and not waiting the required time for test results.. I have found out personally.

 

A buddy of mine is going to get a RO/DI filter setup here soon so I will be mooching off him in the near future. I was also looking at the RO/DI setups from Bulk Reef Supply. They are in my price range so I may just get one myself. I just don't know much about them.

 

Just make sure you get at least a 75g+ one.. that still only 3 gallons an hour..

 

Yes, this is amazing advice. I bought a 24 GPD unit, and it's grueling getting the ~12 gallons for my water change.

 

I did not even realize that they are rated gallons per DAY. Very god to know.